ERNIE Dew admits he's done some pretty dumb things in his life.
But the former president of the Manitoba Hells Angels says selling drugs out of his own home is not one of them.
That is why Dew is now fighting the federal government in court, claiming they stole his house by illegally seizing and selling it under proceeds-of-crime legislation.
Dew, 55, kicked off an unusual civil court hearing Monday by taking the witness stand and denying any criminal acts took place under his roof -- at least under his watch.
"That would be the last place I'd do a drug deal," Dew said while being cross-examined by a federal Crown attorney.
Dew was convicted of cocaine trafficking and possession of goods obtained by crime stemming from a 2006 arrest. He was given two more years of custody in 2012, in addition to time already served. However, Dew was acquitted of another drug-related offence that specifically involved his home at 189 Cessna Way in St. Andrews.
Dew claims the federal government committed "misfeasance of public office" in his lawsuit and are guilty of "conversion, trespass to chattels, unjust enrichment, misfeasance of public office and negligence."
On Monday, the Crown tried to argue Dew would often discuss drug-dealing activities inside his home with fellow bikers.
"We had many conversations, but not about drugs in my house," said Dew. He claims to have been aware of the proceeds-of-crime legislation and was extra-careful to avoid linking any criminal acts to the residence for that reason.
Dew never denied getting involved in several illegal transactions, but offered a unique explanation for his actions at trial. He claimed he only agreed to sell drugs to his friend, Franco Atanasovic, because the man said he was deep in debt and desperate for money to pay back several people who were after him.
Atanasovic was working at the time as a police agent and helped capture the deals on audio and video.
Dew insists he never made a cent from the transactions and was simply acting as a middleman between Atanasovic and the drug supplier -- and a peacemaker between those looking to collect from Atanasovic.
Dew said Atanasovic was in trouble and began pestering him at work, eventually convincing him to set up three separate drug deals. The deals were done at Dew's workplace, while a fourth one allegedly happened at his home just north of Winnipeg.
Dew always insisted he had nothing to do with that one, which he was ultimately found not guilty of and which is now the subject of his lawsuit.
Dew's civil trial is set to last two weeks.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ex-biker-boss-suing-government-280613922.html
But the former president of the Manitoba Hells Angels says selling drugs out of his own home is not one of them.
That is why Dew is now fighting the federal government in court, claiming they stole his house by illegally seizing and selling it under proceeds-of-crime legislation.
Dew, 55, kicked off an unusual civil court hearing Monday by taking the witness stand and denying any criminal acts took place under his roof -- at least under his watch.
"That would be the last place I'd do a drug deal," Dew said while being cross-examined by a federal Crown attorney.
Dew was convicted of cocaine trafficking and possession of goods obtained by crime stemming from a 2006 arrest. He was given two more years of custody in 2012, in addition to time already served. However, Dew was acquitted of another drug-related offence that specifically involved his home at 189 Cessna Way in St. Andrews.
Dew claims the federal government committed "misfeasance of public office" in his lawsuit and are guilty of "conversion, trespass to chattels, unjust enrichment, misfeasance of public office and negligence."
On Monday, the Crown tried to argue Dew would often discuss drug-dealing activities inside his home with fellow bikers.
"We had many conversations, but not about drugs in my house," said Dew. He claims to have been aware of the proceeds-of-crime legislation and was extra-careful to avoid linking any criminal acts to the residence for that reason.
Dew never denied getting involved in several illegal transactions, but offered a unique explanation for his actions at trial. He claimed he only agreed to sell drugs to his friend, Franco Atanasovic, because the man said he was deep in debt and desperate for money to pay back several people who were after him.
Atanasovic was working at the time as a police agent and helped capture the deals on audio and video.
Dew insists he never made a cent from the transactions and was simply acting as a middleman between Atanasovic and the drug supplier -- and a peacemaker between those looking to collect from Atanasovic.
Dew said Atanasovic was in trouble and began pestering him at work, eventually convincing him to set up three separate drug deals. The deals were done at Dew's workplace, while a fourth one allegedly happened at his home just north of Winnipeg.
Dew always insisted he had nothing to do with that one, which he was ultimately found not guilty of and which is now the subject of his lawsuit.
Dew's civil trial is set to last two weeks.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ex-biker-boss-suing-government-280613922.html
